ISLAMABAD – The Jang Group of Publications was on Saturday served a legal notice by Mark Siegal on behalf of the Bhutto-Zardari family through Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell Attorney & Counselors, demanding a retraction and apology for the article published on February 2, 2011, entitled “Breaking News: Asif Zardari got married to Tanveer Zamani in Dubai”.
“Unless such a retraction and apology is issued immediately, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP will initiate legal action on behalf of the Bhutto-Zardari family for libel, malicious publication and international infliction of emotional distress in all jurisdiction where your newspaper is published, as well as many jurisdiction where your newspaper has assets. This lawsuit will seek in excess of $100 million, which the Bhutto-Zardari family would donate to the victim of the 2010 flood in Pakistan,” the notice said.
The notice said the story was “a complete lie fostered by an internet hoax that has been ongoing for several weeks. Publication of such a non-sourced fabrication was not only reckless, it was malicious. President Zardari has never met Dr Zamani, and Dr Zamani has confirmed such to Mr Siegel. By publishing such an outright lie, the Jang Group, its publisher and author of this article have caused severe emotional distress to the Bhutto-Zardari family, especially President Zardari’s family, President Zardari’s three children who are still mourning the murder of their mother”.
The notice said, “Unless a restriction and apology are issued immediately, legal action will be undertaken against the Jang Group, its publisher and the author of this libelous article. We anticipate your immediate cooperation with this request.”
